Venetian blind mechanism



Jan. 30, 1940. H. G. BALTHASAR VENETIAN BLIND MECHANISM Filed May 6, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Illllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll 11/11/1111,,

J INVNTOR.

ATTORNEY6 Am WM? i on Patented Jan. 30, 1940 UNIT-en sires tr es VENETIAN BLEND MECHANISM Harry G. Balthasar, West TowerParlk, Ohio, as

signer to The Edward J. Hoff Gompany, Cincinnati, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application May 6, 1938, Serial No. 206,439

. 14 Claims. .(Cl. 15617) prise a plurality of slats suspended'from a main tilting bar and arranged to be tilted open or closed by movement of the bar. The tilting bar is pivotally mounted, preferably upon the lower side of a head rail which is secured to the window frame. The mechanism for lowering and raising the slats of the blind also is" mounted on the head rail. Both the tilting and the elevating and lowering appartus of the blind are controlled by means of pull cords depending from the head rail of the blind;- Since the entire blind assembly 'is hung from the head rail, whichin turn is supported by the brackets secured to the window frame, by simply disengaging the head rail from the supporting brackets'of the window frame, the blind may be bodily dismounted.

The tendency of the slats to collect dirt and dust which, of course, renders the blinds unsightly and necessitates frequent cleaning, is one of the faults of Venetian blinds. They are quite diflicult to clean especially when in place, in the window frame. Therefore, it has been found expedient to provide a convenient means for dismounting the entire blind assembly from the window frame whenever the blinds are to be "cleaned, or at such times when it occasionally becomes necessary to dismount ment or repairs.

The improved supporting brackets of the pres- "ent invention permit ready removal of the blind from the window frame without disturbing the adjustment of the blind; relative to the window 1 necessarily provide a rugged anchorage for the brackets are designed to withstand'lateral as well I rail because, in addition to the weight of the'blind assembly,.the strain of the pull cords in adjusting the blind, is imposed on the head rail. The

as perpendicular stress for the-reason that the i-pullcords are. often, manipulated, at an angle to them for adjustthe window, thus tending sembly inwardly.

It has been the primary objective of the present inventor to provide brackets for the head rail of a'Venetian blind assembly that permit the convenient dismounting of the blind by a to pull the. blind as housewife, or other mechanicallyunskilled per sons, when the blind is to be cleaned or the worn .parts renewed, and. also permit replacement of ,the blind. after the cleaning or repairs have been completed. I 1

It has been another. objective of the present inventor to provide a mounting bracket including a latching device. which is self-acting with Thus the person mounting the blindhas the use of both hands in manipulatingthe blind assembly.

It has been still another objective to provide a bracket in which theweight of the blind assembly is sustained upon a rigid flange member and in which a locking means is provided to hold the, rail against accidental lateral displacement relative to the supporting flange.

Briefly, it is the concept of the presentinvention .to support the head. rail and'Venetian blind assembly removably upon brackets having. rigid supportingflanges and to provideautomatically.v

actuated locking devices to lock the rail against" lateral displacement relative to the flanges.

Further objectives of the invention, will. be

more fully. apparent from the description of the accompanying drawings illustrating a preferred, embodiment of the invention in which: j

. Figure 1 is a general view of .a windowhaving a Venetian blind supported therein bymeans of the present brackets.

Figure. 2' is .a fragmentary front View partially in section of one of .thebrackets showing the" head railin. place therein. I

Figure.3 is. a sectional view takenon line 3--3, Figure 2, showing the head rail partially inserted into the bracket with the latching .element displacedby the inner edge of the head rail.

Figure 4 is a sectional View similar to Figure 3 showing the head rail completely inserted within the-bracket and the latchin locking position.

Figure Sis a sectional, viewtaken on line 5 5,

JFigure 6 is a fragmentary perspective viewillustrating one of the. mounting brackets in place .i h window tra an t emed .e ;-.P-;

sition within the bracket with the remainder of the blind assembly omitted for simplifying the View.

Figure 7 is a sectional view taken on line 1-|, Fi re 5.

Figure 8 is a front view illustrating a head rail mounting bracket of modified design.

Figure 9 is a sectional view taken on line 9-9 of Figure 8.

Figure 10 is a sectional View similar to Figure 9 showing the action of the latching. element of the bracket as the head rail is inserted therein.

Figure 11 is a view similar to Figure 8, illustrating a further modification of the bracket.

Figure 12 is a sectional View of the bracket illustrated in Figure 11.

Figure 13 is a view taken similar to Figure 11 showing the latching device in-position for permitting removal of the head rail from' the bracket.

Figure 14 is a sectional view taken on line |4l4 of Figure 12. I

Figure 15 is a sectional view taken on line l l5, Figu e 14.

Referring to Figure 1 of the drawings, a Venetian blind I5 is illustrated in position within a window frame [6. The blind assembly is hung from the head rail H, which in turn, is supported within the window frame by means of the mounting brackets 18.

The Venetian blind includes the usual tilting bar l9 from which is suspended the ladder tapes 20 for supporting the blind slats 2|. The blind is raised and lowered by means of the pull cord 22 and the angle of the slats is adjusted by means of the tilt cord 23. The mechanism for actuating the blind is secured to the underside of the head rail, but since this mechanism forms no part of the present invention, a detailed disclosure of the same has been omitted.

Referring to Figures 2 to 7 inclusive, illustratthe bracket to the window frame. This bracket,

therefore, provides three attaching faces, any or all of which may be employed, depending upon the window arrangement, that is, the availability. of surfaces to which the attachment may be made.

The body of the bracket further carries an angle piece providing an angular flange .21 adjacent the upper flange 24. The angle piece is secured to the body of the bracket preferably by means of spot welding and is positioned to dispose the upper webof the angle piece in a horizontal plane parallel to the flange 24. The flange 21 is spaced downwardly a short distance from the upper flange 24 to permit the insertion of the head rail 11 therebetween" with the Weight of the head rail imposed upon the flange 21. v

In the present instance, the head rail 11 is of channel configuration and is provided with adjustable end extensions 28 for permitting the length of the head rail to be varied to suit the width of the particular window to which it is fitted. The end extensions 28 are secured to the head rail by means of screws and wing nuts inwardly of the bracket.

29. The screws are disposed in longitudinal slots .30 for permitting the longitudinal adjustment of the end section 28 relative to the head rail. By means of this construction,'the head rail may be fitted to the particular window frame and will accommodate variations in the width of the frame. After having been properly adjusted and set, the wing nuts are tightened to clamp the' extensions in position and no further attention isneeded. The adjustable feature may be omitted if desired and the ends of the head rail directly supported'in the brackets.

In applying the blind to the window frame after the brackets have been installed, the ends of the head rail are inserted into the throat or channel provided between the angular flange 2! and the top flange 24 and slide laterally in,- wardly of the bracket. the flange 21 is curved downwardly as at 21a to facilitate insertion of the head rail into the bracket.

The bracket includes a vertically slidable latch- The forward edge of ing member 3| which cooperates with a slot by the inner edge of the head rail and to raise the latching member as the head rail is moved The latching member is slidably engaged in the bracket in a" slideway 35 in the attaching web of the angle piece and at its upper end is disposed through an opening 35 in the top flange 24 -of the bracket. The shank 31 of the latching element includes adjacent shoulders 38 adapted to engage the abutments ,39 formed in the slideway 35. ders limits the upward movement of the latching element and prevents removal of the same. The lower end of the latching element isprovided with an angular extension 40 which provides a fingerhold for raising the latching element manually when it is desired to disengage the head rail from the bracket. The shoulders or abutments 39 are formed by pressing a portion 3|a of the attaching web of the angle 3 'piece outwardly into a plane beyond the latch 3|. Thus a guideway is constituted preventing outward displacement of the latch. noted in Figure 2 that the angular flange at The latching element 3|. at.

The engagement of the shoul-I,

It Will be.

the top of the bracket is provided with an off- 4 set portion 4| to space the bracket downwardly This offset portion provides clearance for the upper end of the latching member so that the from the upper member of the window frame clamping head. As the head rail passes beneath I the cam surface, the clamping element remains elevated until the slot'32 of the head rail is in alignment with the clamping head at which time the latching head drops by gravity into the slot to latch the-head rail in place.

When it is desired to remove the head rail, the clamping elements of-each bracket are disengaged by manually raising the elements to their upward positions and holding them there I While withdrawing the head/rail from the brackets by sliding the same. laterally. After the rail has'been co mpletely removed, the latching elements drop .by gravity into position to latch the head rail automatically again when it is replaced. I Referring to Figures '8 to 10 inclusive, a modifled type of bracket is illustrated in which the action is substantially the same as above de scribed. In this form, however,'the latching element is in the form of a spring indicated at 42. The body of the bracket is formed in the same manner as'the form just described and. includes the angular supporting flange 21 as previously described. The rear upwardly turned end of the latching spring is anchored in'an aperture 43 in the supporting flange 21' and the shank of the spring is clamped by means of the clip M. The forward end of the spring is bent to provide an inclined .cam surface 45am a latching abutment it. The outer end'of the spring further includes a ring 47 to facilitate finger engagement for drawing the spring downward to release the head-rail as in the previously-described form.

Thefbracket is provided with a projecting stop element 48 which limits the downward movement of the latch spring 42 so that permanent deformation or" the spring'by undue downward movement is prevented In the present example, the 'head rail is clamped along its outer, edge rather than by meansjoi' a slot, the outer edgeof thehea'd rail being engaged "by the spring'abutment'AG which extendsupwardly from the angular flange 2'! and projects into a notch 49 formed in the upper angularjflange, 2 The weight of the head rail and blind assemblyis' supported upon the angular I flange member 21 in the same manner as in the previous form; v v

Figures 11 to linclusive illustrate another modification of, the bracket. The bracket elements are similar to those oi the previously described forms, the weight of the headrail being sustained on the angular flange 21. In this form,

however, the latching element is'secured on the head rail rather'than on the bracket. The latch- 'ing element consists of a pivotednlocking finger 55 adapted to engage in'a notch5! of the bracket Yri.

The pivoted end of the finger is engaged around a pin 52 disposed within a slot 53 of the rail. 'In the position shown in Figure 12, the locking finger is engaged within the notch 5i and thus holds the rail againstlateral displacement. In this form of [the invention, the, brackets latch automatically in the same manner as in the other two forms. In order to provide this automatic action, the inner edge of the support flange 2? is formed to provide an inclined cam surface as at 54 (see Figure 15). Upon insertion of the head rail within the throat of the bracket the I latching finger is swung inwardly by contact with the cam surface and drops inwardly into the notch 5i when the rail is fully inserted within the throat. When it is desired to remove the rail, the locking finger is swung to theposition as i1-' I tlustrated in Figure 13 at which time the finger is brackets providing ahori zontal flange and a vertical side, a supporting flange fixed in each from and parallel to the horizontal flange, said supporting flange and horizontal flange providing a throat into which the respectivesupporting portions of the head rail may be inserted, and means for locking the head rail in position in the brackets. v

2. A mounting bracket for securing the head rail of a Venetian blind within a window frame, comprising a body element, to be secured to said Window frame, a supporting member secured to said body element and adapted to support said head rail, a latching element mounted on said' bracket and slidable vertically relative to said bracket, andan inclined'cam member on said latching element adapted'to be moved vertically by engagement with the head rail upon insertion of said head rail adapting said latching elementto engage the rail to latch the same in place on said supporting member.

3. A supporting bracket for Venetian. blind head rail comprising an element having a vertical flange and a horizontal 'flange-extendingfrom'" saidvertical wall, a supporting flange fixed in said element and disposed parallel with respect to the horizontal flange in spaced relationship thereto whereby the Venetian blind may be inserted between said supporting flange andthe horizontal flange and a spring urgedlatch mounted on the bracket and including a cam surface disposed into'the space between the parallel flanges engageable by the head rail when it is moved into the space, said latch automatically effective for returning to normal'position when d the head rail is in position.

4. For use in a Venetian blind having a head rail consisting of an inverted channel-shaped element having" its base wall extended to provide end of the head rail in position in a windowframe, said brackets providing three flanges, namely, an upper horizontal flange, a vertical side flange, and a vertical rear flange, a support ing flange fixed in each bracket providing a fixed supporting surface spaced from and parallel to the horizontal upper flange,said supporting flange and upper horizontal-flange providing a throat into which the respectivesupporting portions of,

the head rail may be. inserted.

5. A Venetian blind supporting mechanism, comprising, a head rail consisting of a channelshaped element having relatively flat ends, brackets for securing the respective ends of the head rail in position in a window frame, each of said brackets providing three flanges, namely, an upper horizontal flange, a'vertical'side flange, and a vertical rear flange, a supporting flange fixed in each bracket providing a supporting surface spaced from and parallel to the horizontal "bracket providing a supporting surface spaced supporting portions, a bracket for securing the upper flange, said supporting flange and upper horizontal flange providinga throat into which the respective flatend of the head rail may be inserted and, an automatic latching device in each bracket for locking the head rail in position in the bracket, said device effective merely by insertion of the head rail. v

6. A supporting bracket for Venetian blind head rail, comprising, an element having a pair of vertical walls at right angles to each other and a horizontal wall extending from said vertical Walls, a supporting flange fixed in said element and disposed parallel with respect to the horizontal Wall in spaced relationship thereto whereand the horizontal wall, a latch mounted for verby the end of the head rail of the Venetian blind may be inserted between said supporting flange tic'al movement in the bracket including a cam surface for moving the latch vertically when the head rail is moved into the throat and automatically effective for returning to normal 1ocking position when the head rail is in position.

7. In a Venetian blind, a head rail, supporting brackets for said rail, each bracket comprising, a plate adaptedto be fixed in position in a Window frame and providing horizontally disposed spaced flanges immovable with respect to each other and constituting a throat for receiving the end of the head rail, and latches pivotally carried by the head rail, one at each end thereof, each bracket providing a slot for receiving the adjacent latch, said bracket including a cam surface leading up to the slot for automatically lifting the latch when the head rail is inserted.

8. A supporting bracket for a Venetian blind head rail, comprising, a plate adapted to be fixed in position in a window frame and providing horizontally disposed spaced flanges immovable with respect to each other and constituting a throat for receiving the head rail, and a latch carried by the bracket, said bracket providing a vertical guideway for said latch, said latchincluding a downwardly projected flange having an inclined lower surface engageable by the head rail for raising the latch and permitting insertion of the head rail, said latch free to drop. by gravity into latching position with respect to the head rail.

9. A supporting bracket for a Venetian blind head rail, comprising, an element having a vertical flange and a horizontal flange extending from said vertical flange, a supporting flange fixed in said element and disposed parallel with respect to the horizontal flange in spaced relationship thereto whereby the Venetian blind may be inserted between said supporting flange and the horizontal flange, a latch mounted for vertical sliding movement in the bracket including a downwardly facing cam surface engageable by the head rail for moving the latch vertically when the head rail is moved into the throat, said latch dropping to normal position when the head rail is in position.

10. A Venetian blind supporting mechanism, comprising, a head rail having relatively flat ends, brackets for mounting the respective ends of the head rail in position in a window frame, each of said brackets providing horizontal flanges, the flanges of .each bracket being spaced apart a sufiicient distance to permit insertion of the ends of the head rail and being relatively immovable, and a vertically urged latch for locking the respective ends of the head rail in position in the brackets when inserted therein.

'11.'In a Venetian. blind having a head rail,'

said rail provided withopenings at opposite ends adapted to cooperate with latching means, support brackets, each bracket including a substantially horizontal channel adapted to. receive an end of said rail for supporting thesame, a latch- I ing device, said latching deviceoperative relative to said channel and. adapted to engage the ad: jacent opening in said rail, an inclined cam sur face on said latching device adapted to be en-- gaged by said rail to move said latching device clear of said channel to permit insertion of said rail therein, whereby said latching device ene gages the opening in. said rail upon'registration therewith and latches the rail in place in said channel.

12. In a Venetian blind having ah d rail" provided with openings at opposite en'dsthereof adapted to cooperate with latching means, sup?" port brackets, each bracket including a substantially horizontal channel member adapted to receive an end of said headrail for supporting the same, a self-acting latching fdevice, said latching device mounted in operative relation? ship with said channel member and adapted to f engage the adjacent opening in said rail upon insertion of the rail into said channel memberv and manually operated means for releasing said latching device for demounting'said rail.

13. In a Venetian blind, a head rail, said rail having latching fingers at opposite ends thereof adapted to cooperate with mountingbrackets,

brackets for demountably supporting said rail,

each bracket having a horizontal shelf adapted to support an end of said'headrail, said-shelf Q provided with a latching notch; said latching fingers adapted to cooperate, with said notches,

whereby upon insertion of the end of said rail.

into said channel, said latching fingers may be actuated to engage said notches and lock the rail against lateral displacement.

14. A mounting bracket for securing the head rail of a Venetian blind comprising, a body element including a head rail supporting member and a latching spring, said'spring'including a resilient shank member anchored at one end to said bracket and having its opposite end configumted to form an inclined cam surface and a latching abutment adapted to engage said rail, whereby upon contact of "said cam surface with said rail,

said cam surfaceand latching abutment are ac tuated out ofthe path of said rail and subsequently move into engagement with said rail to latch the same in position relative to said sup-; porting member,

- HARRra'BALTnAsAR; f: 

